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Glossary Films & coatings

What is window tint?

Definition

Which window film should a customer choose?

  • Window tint is a thin film applied to glass to reduce light, glare and heat.
  • Common types are dyed (budget), carbon (no signal interference, better fade resistance) and ceramic (best heat rejection).
  • Darkness is measured as VLT.

Also called

Window film.

Why it matters to a shop

Tint is high-volume, fast-turn work, which means the margin per car is thin enough that film cost and bay time have to be right. Pricing by glass set and film tier — rather than one flat per-car rate — is usually where a tint shop finds its missing profit. Pricing by glass set and film tier is tint shop software.

FAQ

Window tint questions, answered

What is the difference between ceramic, carbon and dyed tint?

Dyed film is the budget tier: it darkens the glass and fades over time. Carbon film holds its colour better and does not interfere with radio, GPS or phone signal. Ceramic film is the heat tier — it rejects the most infrared for a given darkness, which is why a light ceramic can feel cooler than a dark dyed film. Price each tier separately; they are genuinely different products.

How dark can window tint legally be?

That depends entirely on where the car is registered and driven, and it varies by window as well as by jurisdiction — front sides, rear sides and the windshield strip are usually governed separately. Verify the law that applies to your shop before quoting, put the chosen VLT in writing on the quote and the invoice, and record it against the vehicle so the paperwork survives a traffic stop.

How long does window tint take to cure?

The film is squeegeed on over a water and slip solution, and the remaining moisture takes days to leave through the film. Until it does, small haze or water pockets are normal and the windows should stay up. Tell the customer the window and put it on the invoice. Scheduling matters here too: a car handed back before it has dried is the call you get in a week.

Go deeper

Related terms

More from films & coatings — The products themselves — PPF, ceramic, tint and wrap vinyl.

Paint protection film (PPF)A clear (or coloured) thermoplastic urethane film applied over a vehicle's paint to absorb rock chips, scratches and road debris. Also called a clear bra. Sold and installed by the linear foot off a roll, usually 60 inches wide.Ceramic coatingA liquid polymer (often silica/SiO₂-based) that cures to a hard, hydrophobic layer bonded to the paint or over PPF. It adds gloss and makes the surface easier to clean, but — unlike film — it does not stop rock chips.Self-healing filmPPF with an elastomeric topcoat that flows back to smooth when warmed, so light swirl marks and fine scratches disappear with heat from the sun or warm water. It repairs the topcoat only — not a deep cut through the film.TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)The material modern PPF is made from. TPU is elastic, clear and abrasion-resistant, which is why it can be stretched over curves and (with the right topcoat) self-heal. It largely replaced older, more brittle PVC films.Vinyl wrapAn adhesive-backed vinyl film applied to change a vehicle's colour or finish (gloss, matte, satin, chrome, colour-shift) or to carry commercial graphics. Reversible, unlike paint. Cast vinyl conforms to curves; calendered vinyl is cheaper but flatter.VLT (visible light transmission)The percentage of visible light a tint lets through the glass. A lower VLT is darker (5% is very dark 'limo'; 70% is very light). Legal VLT limits vary by jurisdiction and by window, so always verify the local law before quoting.

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